Page 4 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

I nod.

“Just do it. What’s the worst that could happen?”

My mind flashes back to the way Brad so brazenly dropped his towel in front of me in the locker room after giving me his number. Either he’s incredibly lacking in self-consciousness, which is a distinct possibility. Or he’s advertising the fact that he’s down for a good time.

And it’s not that I wouldn’t be into that.Eventually. But I’m nearly thirty. I’m at the point in my life where I’m looking for more than just a good time.

“I’ll do it later,” I tell Iggy, slipping my phone in my pocket. “I shouldn’t be texting on the clock, anyway.”

He makes apshtsound. “You know my dad won’t care. So long as we get the job done, you can take breaks as you need them.”

“Still, I’ll stick to flirting when I’m not on Uncle Johnny’s dime.”

Iggy huffs a laugh, shaking his head at me. Maybe my uncle really wouldn’t care, but the truth is I don’t know him all that well. My parents divorced when I was young, and I stayed in New Hampshire with my mom. Iggy is my cousin on my dad’s side. Before moving to Nevada a couple weeks back, I saw him a cumulative handful of times throughout my entire life. Same with Johnny.

But with my dad having passed last year and my uncle extending the offer, once again, for me to come join the family business, I thought maybe it was time I got closer to my relatives. They never had an issue with my sexuality, after all.

That was only my dad.

“Hey, where do you want to grab lunch today?” Iggy asks, hefting the frame of the cabinet into place.

I step up on a stool beside him to tighten the screws. “Tacos?”

Iggy smirks. “Oh, really? Tacos again? Don’t suppose it has anything to do with the view from that particular restaurant?”

“There’s no telling if Brad will even be at the gym,” I point out.

“Uh-huh,” my cousin mutters. “You’ve been moon-eyeing him all week, Joey.Just text him.”

I push Iggy’s face away, shaking my head when he laughs. At least connecting with my family has been pretty great. Even if Iggy is a bit of a shit-stirrer.

After we get the rest of the custom-made kitchen cabinets installed, Iggy and I head out for lunch. Neither of us bothers changing out of our dusty work clothes, but we do wash up a bit. We’re not heathens.

My leg bounces once we’re seated at the restaurant, our table affording us a nice view of the gym through the window. Iggy snorts, but I pay him no mind.

It’s not that I’ve beenstalkingBrad. Truly, I haven’t. But I caught sight of him last week in nearly this exact same spot, and…fuck. It’s like I was struck on impact. The guy was smiling while doingburpees, of all things, his eyes bright and his enthusiasm infectious even from across the street. And when he tossed his head back, laughing at something his friend was saying? I had the distinct thought thatChrist, I’d give anything to hear him laugh for me like that. This guy I didn’t even know.

Maybe it doesn’t make sense, but attraction doesn’t always. I had to introduce myself. Get closer.Try.

Luckily, I happened to be in the market for a new gym.

I don’t know why I’m hesitating now. He gave me his number. Invited me to work out with him, at the very least. It’s a no-brainer.

“Hey, is that him?” Iggy asks.

My breath catches as Brad walks past the windows at the front of the gym. He appears to be alone today as he settles in for some stretching on a mat beside the free weights.

I debate for all of two seconds before pulling out my phone.

“Yes,” Iggy hisses.

I type out a quick text to the number Brad gave me, not letting myself second-guess.

Me: Hey, this is Joey. Still up for that workout?

I watch as Brad pauses, tugging his phone from the pocket of his shorts. His face lights up, and Iggy slaps my chest from across the table. My heart hammers as Brad types his response. It only takes a second before my phone chimes.

Brad: Joey Kangaroo! Yeah, man. When are you free?

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